Slicking machine



e 1929- w. c. WRIGHT 1,740,434

SLICKING MACHINE Filed May 12. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I11 vezi'for Zia 7 116g Dec. 17, 1929. W, C wRlGHT 1,740,434

SLICKING MACHINE Filed May 12. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 17, 1929 W. C. WRIGHT SLICKING MACHINE Filed May 12. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 4 14/ I wnfifor Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT err-ice IVAJJLACE C. WRIGHT, OF BBOOKFIELD, .ASSIGNOR T0 HARDING ENGINEERING COMBANY, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORRORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS SLIGKING MACHILTE Application filed May 12,

My present invention relates to the manufacture of leather, and more particularly to an improved slicking machine.

An improved operation in the manufacture of leather from hides and skins is known as a slicking operation wherein a hide or skin, while wet, is placed on a smooth, even surface and smoothed outward and downward with respect to such surface whereby the hide or skin is placed in a smooth even condition and held in position on the even surface by some adhesive and mainly by adhesion, the object being to have the hide or skin dry with its surface smooth and even. Also, durin the slickin o eration the thick )ortions of the hide. are" spread over a greater area so that in the slicking operation, a hide actually increases in area over that originally possessed.

It has heretofore been attempted to perform this slicking operation by machines, as distinguished from hand operation, but the only machines of which I am aware, found it necessary to utilize a spud or holding means for holding the central portion of the hide or skin in engagement with the slicking board. This machine, with the spud attachment, made it impossible to entirely slick or smooth the hide or skin and when dried, there usually existed a circular unslicked portion equal in area to the area of the holding spud.

In my present invention, I have obviated the di'l liculties above enumerated and have produced a machine whereby the entire surface of the hide or skin may be smoothed or slicked and no holding spud, or equivalent holding device, is necessary.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a plurality of slicking tools, each independently operated and which tools may be operated'singly or in pairs, or in any other desired combination, and I have provided means for moving said slicking tools radially outward from the center of the machine, and therefore, the center of the hide or skin and during this outer radial. movement in engagement with the hide or skin, such slicking tools, after having completed their extreme outward move-. inent, are raised vertically with respect to the hide or nan. This construction provides 1927. Serial lTo. 190,748.

that the. slicking tool will be in engagement with the surface of the hide or skin entirely during the outward radial movement there of. I arrange the radially moving slicking tools so as to have the innermost contact adjacent or precisely on the center point of the hide, such central point being measured of course with respect to the machine and, in that respect, to the hide, and as each slicking tool, therefore, comes to the center of the hide, it follows that after the slicking operation, there will be no portion of the hide that remains unslicked. By slicking the hide from two sides simultaneously, the use of a holding spud for the hide or skin is rendered unnecessary. In addition to having the slicking tools extend inward toward the center of the machine, I may, if I so desire, have the slicking tools not only work simultaneously, but one tool slightly in davnce of the other and each slicking tool to have its innermost movement considerably beyond the central point of the machine, thus positively insuring that all of the hide or skin will be slieked or even.

As stated, the devices may be worked singly or in pairs, or they may be wor red in any desired number of combinations.

The principal object of my invention, therefore, is an improved slicking machine.

Another object of my invention is an improved slicking machine having radially movable, pivotally mounted slicking tools.

A further object of my invention is an improved slickingmachine having a plurality of independently movable slicking tools.

A still further object of my invention is.

an improved slicking machine having a plurality of independently radially movable slicking tools, operable singly or in pairs.

. Other objects and novel features of the con struction and arrangement of parts comprising my device will appear as the description of the invention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical sectional elevation on the line 22 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing the motor drive for the reciprocating radially movable slicking members;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the top portion of Fig. 2 showing the manner of mounting the radially movable slicking members; V V

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the circuit controlling switch;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation on the line 77 of Fig. 6

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram, and

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views showing the self-aligning slicking blade.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a base or table, having secured at opposite c0rers thereof an upwardly extending U-shaped frame 11, provided at i central point with a hollow socket 12 in which fits the lower part of an upwardly extending standard 13. Formed integral with the socxet member 12, or attached to such socket member and the U-shaped member 11 in any suitable manner, is a half U-shaped member 14; extending at right angles to the member 10 and being secured to the corner or base of the platform 10, as shown in Fig. 1. Secured to the U- shaped member 11 and half U-shaped member 14 and mounted concentrically to the hollow standard 13, is an annular ring 15. The ring 15 is divided into any desired number of equal parts and at each part is secured by bolts 16, an outwardly extending base or platform 17. To the outer end ofthis base or platform 17 is secured in any suitable manner a motor 18, the shaft 19 of which is provided with a worm 20 which meshes with and drives a worm wheel 21 secured to a shaft 22. This shaft 22 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in a standard 23, also secured to the base or platform 17. Secured to the shaft 22, at a point remote from the worm wheel 21, is a crank arm 24, to which is pivotally mounted one end of a connecting rod 25. Also secured to the shaft 22, adjacent the crank arm 2 is a cam 26. Forming part of the standard 23 and extendupwardly therefrom is an. arm 2?, to which is pivotally mounted one end of a lever 28, this lever being provided intermediate its ends with a roller 29, adapted to engage with the cam 26 and on rotation of such cam 26, the outer end of the lever23 will be raised or lowered, as will be hereinafter described. Secured to the upper end of the standard 13 is a member 30 provided with pairs of radially extending cars 31, the number'of cars 31 being equal to the number of divisions on the annular ring 15, or, in other words, being equal to the number of motors 18 that are secured to such ring 15 through the instrumentality of the base or platform 17. Each pair of ears 31 is provided with U-shaped slots 32 in alinement with each other and in each pair of cars 31 fits, for rotary movement therein, a pin or shaft 33, each pin or shaft 33 having secured thereto one end of a link 34. Fitting on the plurality of radially extending cars 31 and on the standard 13, so as to close the open end of the slots 32, is a plate 35, this plate preventing undesired removal of the pins 33 from such slots 32. To the outer end of each of the links 34; is pivotally attached the upper end of a downwardly extending arm 36, such arms being curved at their lower end, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and the lower end'of each arm is provided with a slicking tool 37.

The slicking tool 37 is securely mounted in a carrier by means of thumb screws 61. Formed integral with the carrier 60 and at the top thereof, are spaced arms 62 that enclose the lower end of'the arms 36. The carrier 66 is pivotally mounted on the arm 36 by means of a shaft 63 extending through the arm 36 and through the spaced arms 62. Attached to each end of the carrier 60 is one end of a spring 64, the other end of these springs being attached to the arm 36, as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10. With this construction, the engaging edge of the slicking tool 37 is self aligning. Each arm 36 is provided, intermediate its end, with a roller 38, which engages with the top surface of the arms or levers 28, above described. It is obvious from this construction, therefore,that as the shaft 22 is rotated by the motor 18, the cam 26 thereon will, by reason of its engagement with the cam roller 29, cause an alternate lifting and lowering of the arms 36. In order to insure that the arms 36 will be urged downwardly, lhave provided each linl: 34- with a spring 39, the lower end of such spring 39 being attached at any convenient point to the standard 13. In actual practice I find that the amount of downward urging or pulling movement should be approximately twenty-five poundsthat is, a force of twenty-five pounds should be exerted on a lownward direction on each of the sliclring tools 37 and the springs 39 have, therefore, been designed with this in view. In addition to the rollers 38 on the arms 36,.said arms have pivotally attached thereto the outer end of the connecting rods 25, above referred to as being pivotally mounted on the crank arms 24. The above construction insures that the downwardly extending arms 36 will be given a radial movement with respect to the center defined by the standard 13 in a close path, the inner movement of such arms being indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, and when the arms 36 have reached their innermost point, the slicking tool 37 will be moved downwardly and into engagement with the hide or skin 40 on the base or table 10, at which time the full force of the spring 39 will be felt and such arms 36 will be moved radially outward or tothe right, asshown in Fig. 2, and when they reach the outer limit of movement, the slicking tools 37 will be moved upward in the path indicated and come to rest in the position shown in F 2 out of engagement with the hide .or skin .40.

As stated above, the number of motors 18 may be any desired, and there is preferably an even number of motors 18 and, therefore, an even number of arms 36, which enables me to select the arms 36 in pairs in any relation desired, although I preferably operate the arms 36 in pairs that are located diametrically opposite each other. The throw of the crank arms 24 may be such that the fullmost movement of the arms 36 will terminate substantially at the center of the machine, as defined by the standard 13, or will fall short of such center or extend any desired distance beyond such center or position of the arm 36, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, indicating that the slicking tool 37 has been moved substantially beyound the center of the machine. When such is the desired operation, while I may preferably operate the motors in pairs, yet I may arrange, and preferably do, start one motor 18 in motion preferably a length of time ahead of the starting of the other motor of the pair, with the result that one of the pair of arms 36 is moved inward and will reach its innermost point and will be moved rearward a sufiicient distance to allow the second arm 36 to move an equal distance to the right of the center line, as viewed in Fig.

2, thus insuring that every point of the central portion of the hide is operated or acted upon by a slicking tool 37.

In order to accomplish the above, I have devised a commutator or switch arrangement, illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, and, referring to such figures, 41 designates a base or standard which may, for all practical purposes, be a continuation or addition to the base or platform 10 and such member 41 is secured by bolts 42 to a plate 43. Secured to or forming an integral part of such plate 43 and extending forwardly therefrom, is a U-shaped member 44, provided at its upper end with a bearing 45 in alinement with a corresponding bearing 46, secured to the member 43. In the bearings 45 and 46, is rotatably mounted a vertical shaft 47 which carries a drum 48 of insulating material, and secured to such drum are contact plates 49, such contact plates 49 being electrically connected to the shaft 47 and this shaft 47 is connected by conductor 50 to any suitable source of power 51, such source of power being, for convenience, shown grounded at 52. Secured to but insulated from the U-shaped member 44 on each side thereof are brushes 53, such brushes each being connected to its appropriate motor 18 by means of the conductors 54 and thence to ground, through the conductors The drum 48 is constantly driven in the proper direction and to accomplish this I secure to the shaft 47 a worm wheel 56, driven by a worm 57 secured to the shaft .58 of a motor 59. The contacts 49 are secured to the drum 48 in any desired relation or combination. F or example, considering the lowermost brushes 53, shown in Fig. 7, the contacts 49 with which such brushes are adapted to engage, are so positioned as to come into engagement with the respective brushes simultaneously. If it is desired to bring the slicking tools 37 exactly to the center of the machine, or if it is desired to operate one motor 18 of a pair slightly in advance of the other motor of such pair, the contacts 49 are so placed on the drum .48, that one of them, as that being engaged by the left-hand brush 53, will engage with such contact 49 an appreciable length of time before the associated contact 49 will engage with the right-hand brush 59 and the next succeeding pair of brushes 53, moving upward in Fig. 7 will be so located on the drum .48 with relation to .the lowermost contacts 49, that the second pair of motors 18 will be started in motion any desired time before the first set of motors for the circuit cutoff therefrom. In this way, it is possible to starta pair of motors in operation an appreciable length of time before the slicking tools 37 of the preceding pair of motors has reached its rearmostposition, only enough time being necessary to allow the preceding pair of she-king tools 37 to clear the path of movement ofthe succeeding pair of slicking tools.

While I have necessarily shown the preferred embodiment of my invention somewhat in detail, it is understood that I may vary the size,shape and arrangement of parts with-in wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a slicking machine comprising a base. a sliclring board mounted thereon, a frame secured to the base and above the slicking board, the improvement which comprises a plurality of slicking tools circumferentially arranged about said base and normally out of engagement therewith, means for constraining said slicking tools to move radially inward and outward with respect to the center of the base in a closed path, and means for controlling the operation of said slicking tools in predetermined grouping.

2. In a slicking machine comprising a base, a shaking board mounted thereon, a frame secured to the base and above the ,slicking board, the improvement which comprises a plurality of slicking tools ,circu nferentially arranged about said base and normally out of engagement therewith, means for constraining said sl-ickingytools to mo e radially inward and outward with respect to the center of thehas'e in a closedpath, and means for a controlling the operation of said slicking tools in predetermined grouping simultaneously and consecutively.

3. In a slicking machine comprising a base, a slicking board mounted thereon, a frame secured to the base and above the slicking board, the improvement which comprises an annular plate secured to the top of the frame, a plurality of driving mechanisms mounted on said plateand equally spaced thereabout, a standard secured to the frame and extending upwardly therefrom substantially above the center of the base, a plurality of arms pivotally mounted on said standard, a slicking tool on each arm and means for connecting each arm to a separate driving mechanism.

4. In a slicking machine comprising a base, a slicking board mounted thereon, a frame secured to the base, and above the slicking board, the improvement which comprises an annuiar plate secured to the top of the frame,

a plurality of driving mechanisms mounted on said plate and equally spaced thereabout, a

standard secured to the frame and extending upwardly therefrom substantially above the center of the base, a plurality ofarnis pivotally mounted on said standard, a slicking tool on each arm, means for connecting each arm to a separate driving mechanism, and means for yieldingly urging the arms downward toward the base.

5. In a slicking machine comprising a base, a slicking board mounted thereon, a frame secured to the base, and above the slicking board, the improvement which comprises an annular plate secured to the top of the frame, a plurality of driving mechanisms mounted on said ring and equally'spaced thereabout, a standard secured to the frame and extending upwardly therefrom substantially above the center of the base, a plurality of arms pivotally mounted on said standard, a slicking tool on each arm, means for connecting each arm to a separate operating mechanism, means for yieldingly urging the arms down wardtoward the base, and means associated with the arms for constraining the lower end of the arm to movein a closed path.

6. In a slicking machine, comprising a base, a slicking board mounted thereon, a frame secured to the base, and above the slicking board, the improvement which comprises an annular plate secured to the top of the frame, a plurality of driving mechanisms mounted on said plate and equally spaced thereabout, a standard secured to the frame and extending upwardly therefrom substantially above thefcenter of the base, a plurality of arms pivotally mounted on said standard, a slicking tool on each arm, means for connecting each arm to a separate driving mechanism, means for yieldingly urging the arms downward toward the base, and means associated with the arms for constraining WALLACE c. WRIGHT; 

